According to a new study in Nature, your bones provide more than stability in the rules of life. Without further adieu, the researchers explain how bone development may be tied into the efficacy of a key player in insulin signaling.

IGF-1 is similar to growth hormone. The most significant role of IGF-1 is supporting cellular division and growth. The more cells that divide, the more cells that are created. It can also play a role in cell repair in the brain, heart and muscles.

Bones have been shown to not only require IGF-1 for normal development and function but also to respond to IGF-1 because of their native IGF-1 receptors. These receptors enable downstream signaling, which have roles in cell survival, protein synthesis and energy utilization.

The saying “I can feel it in my bones” holds more water now that this study has seen the light of day. Researchers have proven that bones are not simply the infrastructure of life. They have the same command for cell survival, growth, and energy.

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